math help

What is 9/60 + 8/11?

What is 9/60 + 8/11?

Here's how we add

9
60
+
8
11

Step 1

We can't add two fractions with different denominators (the bottom number). So you need to get a common denominator - both bottom numbers need to match. To do this, you'll multiply the denominators times each other... but the numerators have to change, too. They get multiplied by the other term's denominator.

So we multiply 9 by 11, and get 99, then we multiply 60 by 11 and get 660.

9/60 times 11

Do the same for the second term. We multiply 8 by 60, and get 480, then multiply 60 by 11 and get 660.

8/11 times 60

So now our fractions look like this:

99
660
+
480
660

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

99 + 480 = 579

So the answer is:

579
660

Step 3

Last of all, we need to simplify the fraction, if possible. Can it be reduced to a simpler fraction?

To find out, we try dividing it by 2...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 3...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 3? Yes! So we reduce it:

579
660
÷ 3 =
193
220

Now, try the same number again.

Nope. Try the next prime number, 5...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 7...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 11...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 13...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 17...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 19...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 23...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 29...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 31...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 37...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 41...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 43...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 47...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 53...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 59...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 61...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 67...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 71...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 73...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 79...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 83...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 89...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 97...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 101...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 103...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 107...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 109...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 113...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 127...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 131...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 137...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 139...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 149...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 151...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 157...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 163...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 167...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 173...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 179...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 181...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 191...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 193...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 197...

No good. 197 is larger than 193. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 9/60 + 8/11

9
60
+
8
11
=
193
220
© 2014 Randy Tayler